PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Providence schools will offer two Spanish-English and Mandarin Chinese-English immersion programs (pending sufficient demand) at the Carl Lauro Elementary School in the 2016-2017 school year.

This will expand the dual language immersion program at the Leviton Dual Language School.

In dual language immersion, students starting in kindergarten receive instruction in two languages so they can become fluent and read in both languages by the time they finish 5th grade.

“In an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, being able to understand, speak, read and write in a second language is a critical 21st century skill,” said Providence Schools Supt. Christopher Maher. “That’s why we are thrilled to be expanding our dual language immersion offerings to Carl Lauro Elementary, and encourage parents enrolling their kindergartners for next school year to apply for this great program.”